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Introduction

The World’s Desire (subtitled ‘A Sequence for Epiphany’) arose from a BBC commission in which Leighton was requested to write a work that reflected facets of both the Western and Eastern liturgy relating to the Feast of the Epiphany. It received its premiere on 9 December 1984, performed by the BBC Northern Singers conducted by Stephen Wilkinson, at the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire. It is a further instance of Leighton’s belief that for him ‘the subject matter of the Christian tradition has always continued to be a powerful and natural stimulus to composition, particularly from the instinctive and emotional point of view’.

In the Epiphany story, the Western liturgy places a stronger emphasis on Christ’s divinity as manifested at his baptism in the river Jordan. By comparison the Greek liturgy focuses on St John’s image of the Epiphany being ‘the day of light’ with Christ portrayed as ‘the light of men’. Since there was very little existing music that referred to the waters of Jordan or the significance of the splendour of the light of Christ, Leighton’s challenge was to address this in his composition. David Craig chose the texts which are taken from St Matthew’s Gospel (King James version), Bishop Reginald Heber, Richard Crashaw, G K Chesterton and the Russian Orthodox Service.

The sequence is cast in two parts, which are divided into linked sections. Part I (comprising two sections) begins with a majestic organ introduction, embedded in which is the opening phrase of the hymn tune ‘Was lebet, was schwebet’, from the Rheinhardt MS, Uttingen 1754, (Hymn 42 of The English Hymnal). The hymn permeates the work, set here to Bishop Heber’s words ‘Brightest and best of the sons of the morning’. In the manner of a dramatic scena bass and tenor solos, interspersed with choir, describe the events of the Epiphany as recounted by St Matthew. The opening phrase of the hymn tune establishes a texture of choral quietude, over which the tenor, with mounting fervour, describes the Wise Men’s discovery of the infant Jesus. Three trebles sing the first verse of the hymn as a link to the second section, an ardent unaccompanied carol setting Crashaw’s ‘Bright babe, whose awful beauties make/The morn incur a sweet mistake’. Basses take up the second verse of the hymn tune, joined by sopranos in canon, until choir and congregation join to sing the first three verses as the conclusion to Part I.

Part II is in three sections, beginning with another a cappella carol, G K Chesterton’s ‘The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap’. Although gentle in character there is intensity too, and in the final verse music of tender beauty as the solo treble voice soars above the choir with a melismatic melody. Powerful organ chords symbolizing the voice of God usher in the second section as the solo bass, declaiming words from St Matthew’s Gospel, sets the scene for Christ’s baptism. This is described by the tenor in an impassioned solo and the section concludes with God’s voice from heaven ethereally evoked by the choir, now divided into seven parts. To a joyous rocking rhythm short solos begin the third section driving the music to a climax, an organ flourish and the reappearance of the hymn tune sung by all voices. To the words ‘Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven’, from the Russian Orthodox Service, the choir trebles sing an affirmative melodic phrase which is taken up by the other voices, leading to another climax and the final triumphant rendition of the hymn decorated by the trebles’ and altos’ exultant descant.

Recordings

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Details

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him’. When Herod the king heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judaea’: for so it was written by the prophet, And you O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, And by no means least among the rulers of Judah: For from you shall come a ruler Who will govern my people Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring me word that I too may come and worship’.

When they had heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them till it came to rest over the place where the young child lay. When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy, and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Bright babe, whose awful beauties make The morn incur a sweet mistake; O thou born king of loves! For whom the officious heavens devise To disinherit the sun’s rise, O thou born king of lights! Delicately to displace The day, and plant it fairer in thy face; O thou born king of joys!

Look up, sweet babe, look up, and see For love of thee Thus far from home The East is come To seek herself in thy sweet eyes.

We, who strangely went astray, Lost in a bright Meridian night, A darkness made of too much day, Beckoned from far By thy fair star, Lo, at last have found our way.

Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall: Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odours of Edom and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. In those days came Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized of John in the Jordan and when he came up out of the river immediately he saw the heavens opened and the spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘Thou art my beloved son, with thee I am well pleased.’

various Gospel texts; Liturgy of the Feast of the Theophany; selected by David Craig

Today the grace of the spirit in the form of a dove descended on the waters. Today the sun that never sets has risen and the world is filled with splendour by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines on the world with the brightness of its ray. Today the glittering stars make the inhabited earth fair with the radiance of their shining. Today the uncreated of his own will accepts the laying on of hands from his own creature. Today the waters of Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odours of Edom and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven: For the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end. Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness.

Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would his favour secure; Richer by far is the heart’s adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826)various Gospel texts; Liturgy of the Feast of the Theophany; selected by David Craig